MISSIONS

POVERTY

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

CRS Rice Bowl is sponsored by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), our international relief and development agency and the Diocese of San Jose, Office of Parish Services. This Lenten program is conducted in Catholic parishes and schools throughout the Diocese. Seventy-five percent of the funds raised are used for CRS’ international development projects. Twenty-five percent are distributed within the Diocese of San Jose for parish and school-based hunger and poverty programs.

The deadline for grant applications is June 1. Late applications will not be accepted.

Grant awards are announced on September 1 of each year.

The grant application form must be completed in full and is available in pdf to download and complete. Click here (pdf file) | Click here (doc file) For scanned completed application, please email to blanch@dsj.org or mail the application to Sylvia Blance, Social Ministry Office Diocese of San Jose, 1150 North First St., San Jose CA 95112.

Applications require a signature by the pastor or principal of the parish or schoolmaking the application indicating their approval of the application.

Grants will be awarded only to parish or school-based programs addressing hunger and food insecurity in the County of Santa Clara.

The local CRS Rice Bowl committee will consider grants between $250-$2,500. The amount of the funds granted is determined by factors such as organizational goals and objectives, number of clients served, and current sources and availability of funds.

Preference will be given to new and innovative programs that demonstrate long-term, sustainable solutions to hunger with specific, tangible goals, measurable outcomes, and a specific time frame and which lead to self-sufficiency. Examples might be development of organic gardens that send produce to local pantries, school art projects to increase hunger awareness, and education on healthy eating on a limited income, etc.

Grants for existing programs must demonstrate an expansion in current programming or a significant crisis which would prevent them from continuing operations.

Grants are made on an annual basis and do not imply subsequent years’ funding.

Organizations receiving funding who wish to apply for the next application period must submit an interim report by May 15 to be included with their application.

The grant year period is October 1 – September 30. All grant recipients will submit a final report with a financial statement no later than September 30.

Only in limited circumstances will CRS Rice Bowl funds be used for salary expenses.

All grant applications will be reviewed by a grant allocation committee and approved by the Bishop of San Jose or his designate.

Award checks will be payable to schools and/or parishes only and designated for the use of the program. For the purpose of state law, these funds must be used as intended and any unused funds must be returned.

If you have questions, please contact the Social Ministries office at 408-983-0158 or by email at rsolorio@dsj.org. Information and a pdf application is available to download and complete. Click here (pdf file) | Click here (doc file).
*For grant awardees, you are to complete an interim Grant Report Form due on May and a Final Report Form due in September next year. Please click on link below for the Report Forms: